Unity president, says Gus Dur

JAKARTA (JP): Embattled President Abdurrahman Wahid appealed on Friday night for unity and an end to violence and divisive behavior, pointing out that he had been elected president as a glue to bind the nation together.

Speaking in a nationally-televised address on the state-owned TVRI network, Abdurrahman pointed out that his ascendance to the presidential seat was due to him being considered "acceptable" to all sides.

"In other words, I was elected president, not because I am an extraordinary man, but more because of the circumstances at that time," Abdurrahman said in a statement read out by presidential spokesman Wimar Witoelar.

The President was referring to the last-minute maneuver, spearheaded by People's Consultative Assembly Chairman Amien Rais in October 1999, to block Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri from assuming the presidency.

Abdurrahman conceded that, based on the results of the general election, Megawati, as chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), should have become president.

But circumstances at the time, which Abdurrahman suggested may be similar to now, required him to step forward.

Abdurrahman repeatedly showered the Vice President with praise: "I respect her most for her willingness to give me a chance to lead this country. Instead of taking the stance of a party leader, she demonstrated true statesmanship by putting the country's unity before her own interests."

Abdurrahman then called on his political foes not to replace him, saying that a leadership change was not a solution to the country's multidimensional crisis.

"This country is in a very grave condition, so even if the nation changes its president one hundred times a year, no one will be able to restore the economy in a short period," he said.

"So, let's not hastily pass judgment that I am incapable of running the country," he said, adding that, "steps to overcome these diverse problems have been taken."

Abdurrahman pointed out that the "heap of problems" faced by his administration were "the ruins of past government".

"After I became president, what lay in front of me was only the rubble of the past ... skyrocketing foreign debts, economic disorder, widening social gaps and flareups everywhere," the President said.

The President's statement followed a last-ditch appeal by his Cabinet to the House of Representatives earlier on Friday, in an attempt to suspend moves to issue a second memorandum of censure against Abdurrahman, due to fears that such a measure could spark violence.

The plea, conveyed by Minister of Justice and Human Rights Baharuddin Lopa to House Speaker Akbar Tandjung, was delivered during legislators' preparations for Monday's session, which will consider the second censure.

Supporters of Abdurrahman are due to convene in a mass prayer on Sunday and have pledged to gather in front of the House on the following day to pressure legislators not to issue the censure.

Akbar, however, insisted that the process would continue as planned.

"If the President has made mistakes, according to the rules, he can be censured," Akbar said.

A second censure could lead to a third censure proposing the Assembly convene a special session to impeach the President.

Abdurrahman was first censured on Feb. 1 over two financial scandals in which he has denied involvement. A House probe has concluded that he "could be suspected to have played a role" in the scandals.

The President has warned that he might not be able to control his supporters if legislators go through with the censure.

Meanwhile, vice presidential secretary, Bambang Kesowo, quoted Megawati as saying on Friday that she would not try to block the House from issuing a second censure.

Megawati has been conspicuously absent over the past two days due to a reported bout of the flu. Some figures, however, suggest that she is distancing herself from the President.

In his address, Abdurrahman noted that Megawati had been asked to appear with him for the televised speech, organized by the Independence Pioneers, but was absent due to "a heavy cold". (byg/rms)